| license | Apache-2.0 |
| name | pixel-art-infographic-creator |
| description | Generate pixel art diagrams and infographics for recovery education articles in retro 16-bit game aesthetic |
| allowed-tools | Read,Write,Edit,Bash(python:*,npm:*),WebFetch |
| category | Design & Creative |
| tags | ["pixel-art","infographics","education","retro-gaming"] |
Pixel Art Infographic Creator
Purpose: Generate pixel art diagrams and infographics for recovery education articles in the retro 16-bit game aesthetic that matches sobriety.tools' brand identity.
DECISION POINTS
Topic Complexity Assessment:
IF neuroscience diagram with >5 brain regions:
→ Use simplified 3-region grouping with color coding
→ Limit to 4 colors max from leather-ember palette
ELSE IF social interaction scene:
→ Use 2-3 pixel figures maximum
→ Focus on facial expressions (4x4 pixel faces)
→ Use speech bubbles for emotional states
IF data visualization needed:
→ Bar charts: 8px bars, 16px spacing
→ Timelines: horizontal, 32px height
→ Graphs: 64x64px maximum canvas
ELSE IF process flow:
→ Use 16x16px icons connected by 2px lines
→ Maximum 6 steps per flow
→ Arrow heads: 3-pixel triangles
Canvas Size Selection:
IF mobile-first article:
→ 320px width maximum
→ Portrait orientation preferred
ELSE IF desktop article:
→ 640px width maximum
→ Landscape orientation acceptable
IF detail-heavy diagram:
→ Break into 2-3 smaller panels
→ Use consistent 8px grid alignment
ELSE IF simple concept:
→ Single 256x256px canvas
→ Center composition with 32px margins
Color Allocation Strategy:
IF showing progression/timeline:
→ Start: leather_dark (#2d2319)
→ Progress: ember (#d97706)
→ Success: active (#4a9d9e)
ELSE IF showing problems/solutions:
→ Problems: damage (#f87171)
→ Solutions: healing (#f4a261)
→ Background: parchment (#fef3c7)
ELSE IF neutral educational:
→ Primary: active (#4a9d9e)
→ Accent: ember (#d97706)
→ Outline: primary_outline (#1a1410)
FAILURE MODES
Text Blob Syndrome
- Detection: Text requires >8pt font or looks cramped in pixel style
- Diagnosis: Too much text for pixel art medium
- Fix: Replace with icons/symbols, use callout boxes, or split into multiple panels
Contrast Death Spiral
- Detection: Text unreadable against background, colors blend together
- Diagnosis: Insufficient contrast ratio or missing outlines
- Fix: Add 2px black outline to all text, increase color value differences by 40%+
Grid Chaos
- Detection: Elements don't align, looks messy despite pixel art style
- Diagnosis: Not following 8px grid system
- Fix: Snap all elements to 8px increments, use rulers/guides in drawing tool
Complexity Creep
- Detection: Diagram requires zoom to read details, >6 distinct elements
- Diagnosis: Trying to show too much in single infographic
- Fix: Split into series of 2-3 simpler diagrams, focus on one concept per panel
Anti-Aliasing Contamination
- Detection: Soft edges, blurry appearance, doesn't look retro
- Diagnosis: Drawing tool using smoothing/anti-aliasing
- Fix: Disable all smoothing, use pencil tool only, work at 100% zoom minimum
WORKED EXAMPLES
Example 1: Addiction Brain Diagram
Decision Process:
- Topic: Neuroscience (high complexity) → Simplify to 3 regions
- Canvas: Educational article → 320px width, portrait
- Colors: Showing damage/healing → Use damage/healing/active palette
Execution:
1. Draw 64x80px brain outline in primary_outline (#1a1410)
2. Fill regions:
- Prefrontal cortex (top): healing (#f4a261) - recovery area
- Reward system (middle): damage (#f87171) - affected area
- Brain stem (bottom): active (#4a9d9e) - stable area
3. Add 2px outline around each region
4. Label with 8px pixel font: "PFC", "Reward", "Stem"
5. Add simple arrows showing connections (2px lines)
Novice miss: Would try to show 8+ brain regions with medical labels
Expert catch: Three clear regions with functional descriptions
Example 2: Social Anxiety Recovery Timeline
Decision Process:
- Topic: Timeline with progression → Use progression color scheme
- Format: Desktop article → 640px width landscape
- Data: 6-month timeline → Break into 3 phases
Execution:
1. Create horizontal timeline: 480x128px canvas
2. Three phases (160px each):
- Month 1-2: leather_dark (#2d2319) background, anxious pixel figure
- Month 3-4: ember (#d97706) background, practicing figure
- Month 5-6: active (#4a9d9e) background, confident figure
3. Pixel figures: 16x24px with 4x4px faces showing emotions
4. Connect with 2px arrow line showing progression
5. Add text boxes below: "Isolation" → "Practice" → "Connection"
Trade-off note: Sacrificed monthly detail for clear 3-phase story
Example 3: Coping Skills Comparison Chart
Decision Process:
- Topic: Data comparison → Bar chart format
- Complexity: 4 skills to compare → Within limits
- Audience: Mobile-first → 320px width
Execution:
1. Grid setup: 256x192px canvas, 8px grid
2. Four 32px-wide bars representing skill effectiveness:
- Deep breathing: 48px height (active #4a9d9e)
- Exercise: 64px height (active #4a9d9e)
- Social support: 72px height (healing #f4a261)
- Meditation: 56px height (active #4a9d9e)
3. 2px spacing between bars
4. Y-axis labels: pixel numbers 0-10
5. Icons above bars: lungs, weights, people, lotus (8x8px)
Expert insight: Used icons instead of text labels for mobile readability
QUALITY GATES
NOT-FOR BOUNDARIES
Do NOT use this skill for:
- Photorealistic medical diagrams → Use
scientific-illustration instead
- Complex data visualizations with >10 data points → Use
data-visualization-creator instead
- Animation or interactive elements → Use
interactive-media-creator instead
- Fine typography or layout design → Use
publication-designer instead
- Detailed anatomical accuracy → Use
medical-illustration instead
Delegate to other skills when:
- Client wants smooth gradients or 3D effects
- Infographic needs real-time data integration
- Multiple languages/internationalization required
- Print resolution (300+ DPI) needed
- Accessibility compliance beyond basic contrast
